I love history and taking these photos provided a unique way of bringing the past to life again. I have lived in the same town my entire life and the fact that my parents bought my grandparents house after my grandfather died made visiting the sites easy. Taking a photo of a photo is harder than it looks, but was quite rewarding when it all came together.

-Pam Marlin, pam@dmarlin.com

Gainesville & Hawthorne, Florida, Then & Now
Photos taken July 2011


Grandma Hawley and Me in 1970

Then: I'm with Grandma Hawley in front of the house I grew up in on 21st street in 1970.
Now: The house has not changed much, though I thought it much bigger then. I went to the door and asked permission to photograph the house and standing on the porch after not visiting since I was very young, was pretty cool.



The old church on 39th Ave

Then: In front of the old church on 39th avenue Easter 1972
Now: The church expanded west, the road is four lane (used to be 2 lanes) and the area we are standing in is now a paved parking lot.



At Papa and Nana's house, 1970

Then: Me and Michelle in front of my grandparents house Easter 1970
Now: My parents own the house and it has changed quite a bit.



My son Justin on the old Ford tractor

Then: Justin on his great-grandfather's tractor .
Now: The tractor is owned by his grandfather, a tree removed and the barn recently collapsed. Justin is now 23.



Me and Dad early 1970s

Then: I am sitting with my father in my grandparents house (see how the counter lines up)
Now: The house is now owned by my parents and changed significantly.



My son Justin Then and Now

Then: Little Justin on his tire swing
Now: He is 23 and the tire swing is still there (rope matches up)



Dad and Dynamite 1970s

Then:Then: Dad with his horse Dynamite early 1970's
Now: Now: Dad standing on the same spot, a little older.


Justin heads home

Then: Then: Little Justin walking home
Now: The road is the same, the home gone and Justin is 23.


School Days

Then: Derrius and his brother John in front of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic church in Melbourne Fl around 1973. This was their First Holy Communion. Derrius attended school there for 3 years
Now: The school is basically the same and the little guys are now in their 40's.


When I Was Young

Then: Derrius on his brother's motorcycle at his mom's house in Melbourne 1985
Now: Derrius still does not own a motorcycle.



Little Lizzie

Then: My daughter Lizzie in her grandmother's backyard in Melbourne early 1990's
Now: The yard has not changed but Lizzie has.



Graduation Day

Then: Derrius, his mother, and his brother John pictured from their high school graduation in 1984
Now: His mom still owns the house, it is a different color.



Justin and Lizzie

Then: Then: Justin and Lizzie on their grandmother's couch 1993
Now: The same couch and curtain in the same house. Justin is now 23 and Lizzie 19.